My uncle has a 500 Arctic Cat 4WD manual....It gets up to 60mph, easily. And as Coach said, it is the best for the woods. I dont ever remember bottoming out on it. The independent rear suspension is like riding in a Cadillac over rough fields, even sitting on the rack, where Ive racked up MANY miles. We broke the brakes on it, and we've been driving it around for over 2 years without brakes, thats why I prefer the manual over the Auto. I dont think the Auto will slow you down like the manual by downshifting, but it may, I dont know.